Tire-protector.



No. 854,186. PATENTED MAY 21, 1907. H. L VOSS.

TIRE PROTECTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 27. 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 854,186. PATENTED MAY 21. 1907.

H. L. voss. TIRE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 27. 1906.

2 samba-sum 2.

"IIIIIIIIII/ll III 'fil.

/ b: IIIIIII'II III'III'I IIII/ avwentoz wihwaoao I I xz altoznufil HAYNIE L. VOSS, OF MILES, TEXAS.

TIRE-PROTECTQR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1907.

Application filed June 27,1906- Serial Nio- 323,703.

1'0 (1 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I'IAYNIE L. Voss, 'a citizen ofthe UnitedStates, residing at Miles, in the county of ltunnells, State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tire-Protectors; and I do hereby declare the tollowii to be a full, clear, and exact description oi the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i

This invention has relation to devices for armoring and protecting the tread of tires for vehicle wheels; and it consists of a flexible chain composed of resilient links attached to a leather strap and these two parts fastened to a band composed of rubber-belt stock. The whole is made into a band with a concaved inner side, adapting it to fit about half way around the outside tire and to-be friction ally held in pl ace thereon.

The invention also consists of hollow resilient links for chains and chains formed of hollow resilient links.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the annexed drawings, forming a part'of this specification, and it will be disclosed in view of the said drawings, and in the following detailed description of the construction and mode of operation of the device.

Of the said draWingsz-Jigure 1 is a side view of the wheel and armor. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a link. Fig.4 is a longitudinal section of the link. Fig. 5 is a transverse view oi a tire with the armor in place.

Similar numerals of reference designate similar parts or features, as the case may be, \VlltfI'BVOI' they occur.

.ln the drawings, 10 designates a chain con structed in accordance with my invention; 1] the strap of leather to which the chain is secured; L2 the rubber-belting material with which the'i zhain and strap are united; and Y3 the original or regular tire of an automobile or other vehicle.

in the construction of the chain 10, 1. preler to make the links resilient and relatively soft by making them hollow, so that when the vehicle wheel passes overquite an. uneven surface of ground the chain will yield and obviate any tendency to jarring eil'eets. Under this (3()]']Stl'll(;tlVH character, i. make the link from a blank 14, that maybe as long as des red, with parallel sides, excepting as herei..al'ter indicated, and withstraight parallel ends. About one-fourth of the distance inward from each end two parallel slits 15 are formed through the metal, and on the opposite sides, between the inner ends of the slits there are lateral extensions 16 that are adapted to be folded up at right angles to the body part 17 forming protecting flanges for the sides of the link; One end of the lateral extensions is rounded outward, as at 18, and the other end is concaved, as it were, as at 19, so that the outwardly rounded end 18 will fit in the concaved end 19. At one end the portion of material 20 between the slits 15 will be bent inwardly, and, at the opposite end the saidcorresponding portion of material will be bent outwardly, and on the firsts mentioned end the portion of material 21 outside of the slits 15 will bebent outwardly, while at the opposite end the corresponding portions of material will be bent inwardly,

the bends being made on a curve. that will bring the ends 22 together, with the portions between the bends parallel with the body part and with their side edges meeting the upperedges ofthe lateral flanges 16.

The bends in the material 20 and 21 form knuckles for the reception therethrough, when the ends'ol two hinges are brought to gether, of the pintle or pivot pin 23, and in this way constituting a chain-belt of the nature hereinbefore specified, having hollow resilient links. instead of making the chainlinks hollow and resilient, they may, in some cases, be made solid with holes formed transversely through the knuckles of the links for the pintles, all of the'said features being of the same form as those cm loyed in the mak ing of the hollow links. hen the links are made hollow, it is designed that the side flanges at their ends shall cover the ends of the pintles 23, as well as to close the side's,.

and thuskeep mud and sand from getting in- -side the hollow links.

\Vhen the rotector-riin or band is completed it may )e put on the tireof the wheel, when the said tire is down, and it will be tightened thereon by pumping up the tire, as will be readily umlerstood by those. skilled in the art without further explanation. When the link is made solid, it may be made out of about one-eighth inch steel or iron out in )roper lorm or pattern. When the said link is made hollow, the stock used will be thinner and. as resilient and soft as circumstances may call for. Moreover, when the links are made hollow, they may have some of their features changed in form, Within the limits of ing the hollows of the links combined with a mechanical skill, without departing from the general nature or spirit of the invention.

The invention, when applied to tires, affords great protection thereto so that they will last much longer, and the use of the improvements or pneumatic tires renders them proof against uncture within the limits of the chain, and substantially so within the limits of the complete hand.

What is claimed as the invention, is

1, A chain for armoring and protecting the tread of vehicle tires consisting of hollow resilient links of metal ivotally connected at their ends, and provi ed with means at their sides to keep mud and other dirt from enterstrap and band, to which said chain is connected on the outer surface.

2. A chain for armoririg and protecting the tread of vehicle tires consisting of hollow resilient links of metal pivotally connected at their ends and having flanges at their sides to kee mud and other dirt from entering the hol ow'v of the links.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

HAYNIE L. VOSS.

Witnesses: I!

o. L. ROOT, J. Z. BRADFORD. 

